When reading grant proposals, research papers, conference posters or viewing slide presentations, people look at graphics first. If created properly, graphics are the most effective way to explain complex ideas in the shortest amount of time, attract audience and raise credibility. Nevertheless, researchers aren’t trained in visual communication in the traditional PhD curricula and are supposed to acquire these skills by themselves. This workshop uses a hands-on approach to help researchers visually present their own research through various means of scientific communication.

Workshop goals:

• Learn which graphic design principles are most useful for communicating science.• Use these principles to draw graphical abstracts for your own research communication.• Learn to create clear, true, and meaningful data visualizations.• Learn to create visually consistent journal papers and project proposals.• Learn to create a conference poster that is good looking and easy to understand.• Learn to amplify your message when presenting with slides.

Workshop instructor:

Jernej Zupanc, PhD: "For the last five years, I've been studying how to effectively communicate complex messages. My primary focus has been the visual aspect, however, I eclectically collect all best practices from communication experts no matter their field of application (persuasion, graphic design, photography, journalism, marketing etc.). My only criteria are (1) does it work, (2) can scientists use it to improve our communication. Together, we will explore the principles of visual communication and apply them directly to your scientific publications (papers, theses, posters, slides, grant proposals). The main goal of the course is to learn how human visual perception works and how we can use that knowledge to more effectively communicate scientific results and ideas."